Hale Pai
Pacific American-News Journal
Iulai-July 1996 Volume 2 Issue 7
The Natural World And Our Hawaiian
Spirituality
Kilipaka Kawaihonu Nahili Pu`ou Ontai
Kahuna Kuhikuhi Pu`uone
The Hawaiians and Polynesians the natural world is sacred to
us, for in it we see our Creator and our blessed ancestors and
families. Our `aina is a magical world where our sacred souls and
the majesty of nature intersect. The Hawaiian spoken language of
over 40,000 words is abundant with words describing nature in all
its glorious forms. Words describe every plant and animal life
form indigenous to our Islands. Words describe all inanimate
objects, as well, from different kinds of rocks, soils and
minerals. Words describe the forces of nature, the numerous
different kinds of wind and directions, from stillness to the
awesome forces of a hurricane. Words describe the numerous kinds
of rains, from gentle mists to the torrential pour of Kona
storms. Words describe the heat and fire of life, from the fire
within our bodies to the fury of a volcano. Words describe the
subtlety of light, from total darkness to the brilliancy of a
clear blue sky, charged with the energy and power of the sun.
When we go out to the country-sides and ask our elders and
Hawaiians living the old ways about our spiritualness, they will
tell us of the man and forces of nature and all things living.
They will tell us of the spiritualness within ourselves and our
relationship to the universe and the Creator. They will remind us
to know our `aina, as well as our ancestors did. They may even
tell us their own secrets handed down since time forgotten. They
will remind us to know the aroma of living Ki leaves; know the
bitter taste of noni berries and the soothing tea of mamaki
leaves for our medicine; they will remind us that certain areas
grow Ki plants that make wonderful sweet drinks when baked in the
red dirt found only in this spot; they will tell us of the big
fishes that come to a magical sea cave only when certain
phenomenon occur in nature; they will tell us where there can be
found a certain kind of inland fresh water clam so rare it cannot
be found anywhere else; they will tell us of a beautiful red
flower so tiny and sacred to the Gods that most people have never
seen it before; they will remind us to feel the red dirt beneath
your feet and to remember always that this thin layer of rich
soil is the mana and `uhane of our ancestors; they will tell us
to look hard at the movement and direction of the winds and the
seas and the clouds, and sense what they are saying and
expressing to us, as they have been doing so since the beginning
of time.
We, Kanaka Maoli, are the flowers of this land -- this
majestic paradise in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean. Our
`uhane and mana have helped the Gods to nurture and care for this
`aina, as we have been temporal and spiritual partners for 2,000
years. We hail from no where else in this world. It is our sacred
inheritance. Our culture, our language, our ways and paths, our
ancestors, our blood, and our `uhana have no other origins ---
all express the spiritualness of this sacred `aina. No other
Peoples can claim this inheritance.
From our ancient Kumulipo chant, whose origins are lost in
time, we learn of the evolution of life on earth and the
primordial continuance of changing life forms. The Kumulipo tells
us that the Creator brought forth out of the darkness of the
heavens, a living earth, alive and full of the fire of life. And
in it, the Creator gave us his greatest love, the majesty of his
being --- life itself, to give form to our spirits. From the
single cells of slush to the evolution of humankind and our
ancestors, it has taken billion of years in our perception of
time, but a mere breath of time for the Creator.
From this majestic creation, we are taught that our brothers
and sisters include the sacred Kalo (taro), who shall live
amongst us forever, each nurturing each other and taking care of
each other as a family. Our Kupuna Kahiki created 200 of the
world's 300 varieties of Kalo; at least 24 varieties of sweet
potatoes, over 20 varieties of sugarcane, more than 12 types of
gourd and countless other hybrids, for we understood the sacred
evolution of life.
We are taught that the blessed spirits of our ancestors and
loved ones walk amongst us and guide us. We are taught our
blessed spirits will personify themselves in the beauty of a
tree, a flower or a rock. Or they will take the form of the
awesome forces of the wind, rain, or the fire of life. We dance
and sing to express our feelings for the beauty or nature.
For Hawaiians and Polynesians, we feel and touch, smell and
hear, and see God through the natural world and all its forces.
We see the continuous evolution of the cycle of life. We feel the
heart beat of our Earth Mother, Papa, and we see our Heavenly
Father, Wakea, as he gently impregnates her with life-giving
rains to sustain all God's creations. The living earth is alive
and in its center beats a strong passionate heart. We rejoice and
celebrate the gift of life.
To Hawaiians and Polynesians, we are only a part of life on
earth, a part of God's magnificent creation in the vast darkness
of the universe. We respect all life, for they are our ancestors
personified. We hold tenderly our aloha to our `uhane families
and ancestors who are the na pua of this `aina. We thank God, Our
Almighty Creator, for all that nurtures us from the land and sea.
But most of all, we know our inherited role as Kahu (caretakers)
of God's majestic creation and protectors of our ancestors
`uhane. It is a responsibility that we take with great humbleness
and sincerity.
Send mail to halepai@punawelewele.com
with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 1996 Hale Pai Pacific American-News Journal
Last modified: February 28, 1998
Hale Pai Iulai Page
Hale Pai Home Page
|